With Barack Obama winning the Democratic nomination for president and Hillary Clinton pledging her support to him, the hip-hop duo Little Brother is gearing up for tonight’s concert in Tampa — and has something to say.

“How ironic is it that she [Clinton] offered him the V.P. spot…that’s some humble casserole right there, some humble cake,” says Phonte, one-half of the group with rapper Big Pooh. “I’m glad he won.”

That’s Little Brother all day. The Durham, N.C., emcees say what they mean and keep it real. No gimmicks needed. They’re atypical southern rappers who are more alternative in their sound and lyrics (think Tribe Called Quest, Black Star, Atmosphere) than their bass-and-bling counterparts. 

“One of the big reasons we’ve maintained a cult status is that we’re a hard sell. There isn’t much to us as far as image or flash, it’s about the music,” Phonte says. “The message that I try to get out more than anything is that it’s OK to be who you are.”

Little Brother will perform tonight at Crowbar (1812 17th St., Ybor City). Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. The event also features local artists LAWS, Dynasty, and poet Motown Pride, plus DJs Sandman and Deacon.

Phonte and Big Pooh met in 1998 at North Carolina Central University. They signed with Atlantic Records in 2004 and were dropped in 2007. Their latest album “Getback” was released in October and features notable tracks “Breakin’ My Heart” and “Good Clothes.”

Major label or not, success is about doing work, Phonte says.

“New artists look at us and say they want to get to where we’re at, but this has been 10 years in the making,” he says. “Stop looking for the moment, the break, the call. When you decide to do this professionally, you’re on right then.”